Visiting Fort Worth，Texas often makes people think back to the days in the late 1800s when cattle and cowboys roamed the land．The historic museums and the preserved stockyards in Fort Worth are filled with cow facts，cow collectibles，and even live cows．Is it any wonder the city is fondly nicknamed"Cowtown，USA"？
    Fort Worth is located in the center of Tarrant County in north-central Texas and has a population of almost 450，000 people．Fort Worth is 48 miles west of Dallas．There are almost 4 million people in the Dallas-Fort Worth metropolitan area．
    The aerospace industry leads the way in Fort Worth's present-day economy．The aircraft manufacturing plants here are among the country's largest．Fort Worth is also a center for grain and oil and is，of course，the headquarters of the cattle industry．
    Despite the name，F(xiàn)ort Worth was never an actual fort．Founded in 1849 by Major Ripley A．Amold，the site was turned into an army post to protect the settlers in the area．The military base was called Camp Worth after Major General William J．Worth，a hero of the War of 1812 and the War with Mexico．
    In 1853 the soldiers left and the town's attractiveness to settlers declined until 1856 when settlers began moving into the army's vacated buildings．The population of the settlement grew and its name was changed to Fort Worth．In 1860，F(xiàn)ort Worth was voted the seat of Tarrant Country．
    After the Civil War （1861-1865），F(xiàn)ort Worth became a stopover for the cowboys．The settlers traded with the cowboys who used Fort Worth as a stop for supplies and entertainment．With the increase in economic activity more settlers came to Fort Worth．In 1873，F(xiàn)ort Worth was declared a city．
    The next century brought many changes with positive results．In 1876 the Texas and Pacific Railroad came to town，which meant that cattle could be transported directly from the city．This helped turn Fort Worth into not only a cattle-shipping center，but also a meatpacking center，as well．The opening of the first flour mill in 1882 and the discovery of oil fields in West Texas around 1915 attracted more and more people to Fort Worth．In 1949 the manufacturing of aircraft and military supplies began in Fort Worth．This created many new jobs．
    Today Fort Worth is one of Texas' major cities．Even with all its modern advances the city still contains an impressive collection of historic sites．Wooden sidewalks give many of the old buildings an amazingly realistic 1800s feel．Points of interest include the Fort Worth Stockyards，which are still active in the Texas livestock industry，and the Exchange，built in 1902，which includes holding pens as well as an arena where weekly cattle auctions are held．
    The history of the cattle-driving days of yesteryear is a large part of Fort Worth's attraction．Upon seeing the rejuvenated old-fashioned town，the period costumes worn by store employees，and the stockyards，it is easy to understand how Fort Worth can remind people of the days when cowboys on horseback driving cattle，not cars or trucks，crossed the land．

（1）When was Fort Worth founded ？And by whom？

Fort Worth was founded in 1849 by Major Ripley A.Amold．

Fort Worth was founded in 1849 by Major Ripley A.Amold．

（2）What other larger city is very near Fort Worth？

Dallas．

Dallas．

（3）Why was the railroad important to the cattle industry？

Having the railroad meant that cattle could be transported directly from Fort Worth．This helped turn FortWorth into not only a cattle-shipping center but also a meat-packing center as well．

Having the railroad meant that cattle could be transported directly from Fort Worth．This helped turn FortWorth into not only a cattle-shipping center but also a meat-packing center as well．

（4）What modern industries are found in Fort Worth today？

Modern industries found in Fort Worth include the aerospace industry，aircraft manufacturing，grain and oil industries and，of course，the cattle industry．

Modern industries found in Fort Worth include the aerospace industry，aircraft manufacturing，grain and oil industries and，of course，the cattle industry．

（5）All historic sites relating to the cattle drives of the past have been destroyed in Fort Worth．Is it true？If the statement is false，write the statement correctly．

No，it isn't.It still contains an impressive collection of historic sites．

No，it isn't.It still contains an impressive collection of historic sites．

（6）What period in the history of Fort Worth do you think was the most important？Why？

The first half of the 20th century.Because Fort Worth had more and more people and more employment opportunities in this period.

The first half of the 20th century.Because Fort Worth had more and more people and more employment opportunities in this period.